Kirk was born to Richard “Cookie” Cerise, and Charlotte “Shotsy” Hutter at Fort Chaffee Army Base in Arkansas on November 2nd 1958. Kirk grew up in Arvada, Colorado and was known as everyone’s best friend. Kirk attended Arvada West High School where he made countless life long friends and was a tremendous athlete who loved the game of football. Kirk played with reckless abandonment and had the scars to prove it with over 20 knee surgeries. Kirk took his love for the game and directed it at coaching. He coached youth football for over 40 years helping to shape so many young men. He was proud of all his teams and while he loved the journey to the carnation bowl his greatest love while coaching was teaching kids what it meant to be a part of something bigger than themselves. He also loved teaching kids the right fundamentals- “Flat Back, Head Up, Drive Through” could be heard from his booming voice during every practice. That booming voice also contributed to his prowess on the karaoke stage which was unmatched and whether it was Sweet Caroline or Mustang Sally he always left the crowd wanting more.
Kirk married his first wife Sheri Perotin early in life and had two children with Sheri, Nick (1980) and Kyle (1984) Cerise. Like everyone in Kirk’s life, Sheri and Kirk remained friends. Kirk found his one true life long love in 1987, a flight attendant named Bonnie Harmelink. “Bee Bopin Baby Bonnie boo boo” he would call her when they first began dating. In the early days Kirk would always say “My kids come first” and Bonnie embraced that with every ounce of her being loving Nick and Kyle as her own. Bonnie and Kirk’s love was evident to everyone around but Kirk left no doubt when he serenaded Bonnie with his rendition of "Suddenly" at their wedding. They married in June of 1989 and had Cole Robert Cerise (1990). Even in times of frustration Kirk would just shake his head, smile and say….”My Wife”. Kirk loved Bonnie with everything he had.
Kirk built a successful career in residential construction and when driving across the front range from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins you can see the finger print he left across so many family homes. Kirk was affectionately known by many as the unofficial mayor of Arvada. He knew everyone in Arvada and was everyone’s best friend. If someone had a problem they knew to call “Big KC “ as he always “Had a guy” for that.
Kirk loved riding his Harley, and going on runs with his friends. The freedom, the fraternity, and the lifestyle was the epitome of who Kirk was. Kirk was a huge Steelers fan and loved to golf when his knees would allow it. One of Kirk’s other passions was cooking, he loved taking care of family and friends and cooking amazing Italian feasts. A true "Pit Boss", Kirk would spend hours smoking the most flavorful meats you could imagine and he couldn’t wait to see everyone enjoy the flavors of his labor.
Kirk always said his greatest achievement was finding a woman in Bonnie who loved everything about him and of course his three boys.
Kirk is survived by his wife Bonnie Cerise (Arvada, CO), three sons: Nick Cerise (Lori Cerise) (Littleton, CO), Kyle Cerise (Arvada, CO) and Cole Cerise (Amy Van Scoyk) (Arvada, CO), grandchildren Siena Cerise (Littleton, CO) and Hunter Cerise (Littleton, CO). He is also survived by father Richard “Cookie” Cerise (Arvada, CO), sisters: Kelly Thomas Ranch Santa Margarita, CA) and Kim Cerise, (Baltimore, MD) and so many other amazing family members and friends.
The celebration of Kirk’s life will be held at Ralston’s Crossing Event Center, 7400 Indiana St., Arvada, CO 80007 from 2:00-5:00 MT.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Cerise family.
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